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| John Hancock Center |
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| Water Tower |
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| Water Tower and John Hancock Center |
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| Michigan Ave |
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| Looking north to Water tower |
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| Shopping!!! |
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| I wonder how much a night is there |
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| Water Tower |
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| Chicago Tribune |
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| My favorite building |
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| The Wrigley Building |
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| Trump |
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| The end of the Magnificent Mile. It's Magnificent!!! |
I have walked plenty magnificent miles before. The walk along the Plattekill. The walk down into the Grand Canyon. The walk across Avalanche Lake. The walk on Angel's Landing. The Labrynth leading up to Mohonk. The Knife Edge. All of them very magnificent miles indeed.
This Magnificent Mile is mostly named for its shopping. It's not something I look for in a walk. Not even an urban walk. It did have its moments and there are some great sights.
The Magnificent Mile runs along Michigan Ave. I walked south from Oak St to the Chicago River. The walk starts near the Hancock Building. This briefly was the tallest building in Chicago until the Sears Tower was built. The Hancock is an interesting looking building, as so many buildings in Chicago are. It's black and the building narrows as it ascends toward the sky.
Near the Hancock is the Water Tower. This is one of the only buildings left in downtown after the great Chicago fire of 1871. The Water Tower rises almost 200 feet, but is surrounded by massive buildings. It's a wonder this used to be the most visible building in Chicago's skyline.
The walk then became a bit less interesting. Shop after shop. But then as one nears the Chicago River, the great architecture of the buildings ahead make this walk a Chicago must. The Chicago Tribune building dominates to the east and the Wrigley building dominates to the north. These buildings all date from the 1920s. Across the river views of numerous other architectural gems from the 20s are visible.
Modern architecture just cannot compare. It's just too fucking boring. The old art deco buildings are superior. I wish you had taken some pics of the interior of a few of the lobbies.
ReplyDeleteNo Doubt. I like the Hancock Center, but most of the modern buildings I could care less about. The old art deco buildings are by far the most interesting.
DeleteI should check out the interiors of some of these.
The Empire State and Chrysler Buildings are perfect examples of 1930's art deco style. I'm guessing the buildings in Chicago are designed similarly. The lobbies are just beautiful. I've seen them myself many times and my guess is that you have too.
ReplyDelete